2 year old problem with eatting

[24fan]

I have a beautiful daughter of 2. when i 1st but her onto solids she would eat all types of food chicken fish all veg anything really. as she turned one it was time where she started feeding herself was a little messy at times but she got there in the end. for the past year she has become very fussy in her eatting. and will not eat any meat fish or veg.
i have tried...
Eatting without TV on (big destraction)
Eatting with her, with out and waitting till she is eatting and then joining her.
Eatting of same plate.
Telling her no treats if she doesn't eat dinner.
Giving her a drink, having dinner without drinks.
Cutting out all snacks.

She is very slow at eatting anything. when the dinner gets cold she'll say enough and won't eat anymore. (after only having few spoonfulls)
This evening after refusing dinner my partner wanted to put her to bed as a punishment for not eatting. I did not agree with that. a bed is not a punishment to me but a place to relax and recharge.
we then got in an argument where I am now so very emotional and I have run out of ideas as to what I have to do. I have spoken to health visitor but no adivce seams to have worked.
please can someone help it's making life very hard and I just want to get my lovely girl to eat.

Thank you for your time.

[boxtops]

I agree with you, going to bed should not be a punishment, and she shouldn't be punished for not eating - otherwise it may turn into a big issue and she will start to feel that eating is a challenge, and she'll be put off doing it even more. As long as she is healthy and not losing weight, can you not just ignore it for a little while and see what happens? is she drinking plenty?

[welshlibranr]

Hi 24fan, In my experience, if you place lots of emphasis on how much a toddler eats, then just decide not to eat much at all!..........I always found the best way was to just give them their meal and let them eat as much or as little as they pleased, I didn't ever withdraw dessert or put them to bed as a punishment, I felt that this only added to the problem!.........The phase soon ended, and my children survived it, and are now helathy and happy and very hungry teens!........................

[crisgal]

i would agree with the first response.
Any issues involved with eating could lead to major problems later on.
She won't starve herself - and WILL eat something when she's hungry.

I would leave out all snacks, and only offer small amounts of foodat mealtimes. That way she may feel that she can manage a couple of mouthfuls, yet feel that she has managed to clear her plate - and you can always give her more, once she's finished it.
When she tells you she's had enough, then just say well done, and remove the plate.
My guess is it's just a phase, after three children i've seen 'em all!

I understand how stressful it can be. But remember you are doing a great job, and it will pass. ♥♥

[24fan]

Thank You So Much. I will continue to give her dinners and just try to be a little more realxed letting her eat as much as she wants. I may untoduce small puddings after dinner and hope she maybe over time start eatting more of dinner. Honestly it's nice to know other people have been through this problem to, sometimes you feel the only one.

[sherrardk]

My four year old is currently being really bad with her food but we are trying to be patient with her (I am a nightmare with food as I was really fussy when little and my parents would MAKE me stay in my seat till it was all gone). Just try to stay relaxed and not get too stressed - if she's hungry she will eat. You and your partner must have the same response to it (my husband tends to get annoyed - it doesn't do any good). Good luck x (PS - I've got 5 kids and the oldest have all been bad with food at some stage, but none of them has starved to death.)